Gauging apparatus



2 sAee1s-sheet` 1 Attorneys May 8, 1945, L.. E. wATTEBo-r GAUGING APPARATUS Fild March 1, 1945 O a l.

.May v8, 1945- L. E. wATTEBoT 2,375,600

GAUGING APPARATUS Filed March l, 194:5 2, Sheets-Sheet 2 A ttorney.v

Patented May 8, 1945 GAUGING APPARATUS Louis Eugene Wattebot, London N. W. 9, England, i alsignor to Solex Limited, London, England, a

British company Application March 1, 1943, Serial No. 477,543 In Great Britain Match 2, 1942 6 Claims.

This invention relates togauging apparatus which includes at least one measuring nozsle (for part or surface to be measured, the actual measurenient, errors or the like being shown on indicating or recording means (manometer, now meter or otherwise) and has for its object to provide such devices, and more especially the nozzle portions of such devices, which give greater emciency and accuracy than hitherto to such apparatus.

In general, a measuring nozzle for gauging apparatus in accordance with the invention, in place of having its outlet orifice unimpeded so that the total perimeter is available for the passage of the fluid as hitherto, has screeningmeans in movable association therewith adapted to be maintained in contact with the surface of the part being measured by spring or other means and of such position, shape and extent in relation t the actual outlet orifice that less than and preferably only a small proportion of the total perimeter of such orifice is available for the e of the fluid.

The invention may be carried into eflect in a great variety of manners, depending upon the particular purpose of the gauging apparatus. For example, it may be applied to such apparatus having a single measuring nozzle or to each of the nozzles of an apparatusoperating with dual nozzles in parallel, or otherwise.

For example, the screening means may be applied to the exterior of the nozzle or to the interior thereof and in either case can partake of the nature of a sleeve with a slot or slots having parallel sides or sides divergent or convergent. Again, in place of the sleeve being open-ended it may be closed although the slot or slots extend to the end thereof. In certain cases the sleeve can be replaced by a plug having the necessary slot or slots, which latter in some cases may communicate with a bore in the interior of the plus.

The section of the nozzle can be as desired and although in most cases it iscircular, it can be of oval, flattened or other cross section and the screen utilised in connection therewith may be correspondingly shaped. Still further. in some cases the screen may be comprised by a slide or slides and when more than one slide is utilised the said slides maybe interconnected. In certain cases, especially where the constru tion is of such a character that the sleeve, plug or the like has a closed end, the actual leakage gap may be removed from thecontact surface to a desired extent, its variability depending upon the positions of relatively moving or sliding parts, as hereinafter explained.

In order that the invention may be better understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example only and in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig.\2 an end view partly in section, of one embodiment of the inver tion.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of one form of nozzle structure proper, similar to the nozzle shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 (but in section) of another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a sectional elevation and Fig. 6 a side elevation partly in section of another embodiment of the invention. i

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view to an enlarged scale of one form of nozzle of flattened section constructed according to the invention.

Figs. 8 and 9 show similar views to Fig. 4 of still further embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 10 shows a similar view to Fig. 3, of another embodiment.

Fig. 11 shows a sectional side elevation and Fig. 12 an end elevation of Fig. 11 (partly in section) of still another embodiment.

This indicating or recording means however forms no part of the prsent invention but actually does form part'of the complete gauging appa- 4ratus necessary for use with the present invention; thus, in the description to follow it will be assumed that the 'uid passing to the nozzle (particularly air and moreover air not highly compressed but at a' desired pressure above atmospheric pressure) operates anyrsuch or any other equivalent indicating and/or recording device and will not further be dealt with.

` Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I3 is a cast or other base having a standard Il from which projects a horizontal arm I5. At its outer end this arm has a boss with an upper extension I6 and a downward extension Il, with a bore I8 passing through the upper extension I8 the boss and the downward extension I1. The said downward extension I1 constitutes the outlet nozzle proper and has mounted therearound in sliding engagement therewith a sleeve I9. `The lower endof the sleeve is adapted to make contact with a workpiece 20 and is kept pressed thereto by a spring 2|. 22 is a slot of slight angular extent and desired" lengthin the sleeve I9.

In the apparatus it will be understood that the lower end of the nozzle proper comes a desired distance above the part to be measured and the lower end of the sleeve I9 makes close contact with the surface of the piece to be measured.

When using the device in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2, it will be realised that the pressure fluid (for example air) passingdown the `bore I8 can only escape through the part of the slot 22 which has been numbered 29 and which comes below the actual lower .end of the nozzle proper. Thus it is emphasised that the measurement of theworkpiece depends upon the height of this portion of lthe slot 22 which projects below the end oi the nozzle proper.

In Fig. l the slot 22 is shown as having parallel sides. However, such slot may have convergfent or divergent sides and in Fig. 3 the slot is In place of, as 4shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thev screen formed by the sleeve I9 coming on the exterior of -the nozzle proper, the 4sleeve may be arranged on the interior of the nozzle. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 4 where the sleeve I9 is shown actually on the interior of the nozzle.

Referring to Figs. and 6, here a plug gauge is shown of the type to deal with internal diameters although with but slight modication such a diametrically opposite positions and being kept pressed outwardly by a spring 32.

It will be understood that the combined angular extent of the width of the slots in each sleeve forms a restricted outlet for the pressure fluid (preferably air) from its associated nozzle.

In Fig. 7 is shown a nozzle 5I! of flattened section with an outlet 5I which is to come a desired distance above the part to be measured. The screening means in this case is formed by two slides 52 kept pressed outwardly by springs 53, although the sliding movement is limited by stops indicated at 54 and the screen is kept in place by other springs 55.

When in action it will be realised that the two longer sides of the nozzle 50 are screened whilst the two shorter sides of the nozzle have gaps 56 between themselves and the screens 52 for the escape of the pressure uid, the variable height of which gaps gives the necessary indication. A

Although the slides 52 have been .shown separate, in some cases they may be joined and where desired only one end may have a gap such as 5G.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a plug 93 on the interior of the nozzle, the said plug having a longitudinal slot 34 in one position thereof and being kept pressed outwardly by spring means.

Thus the outlet 35 from the slot is variable in lplug or -the like.

s Referring to Fig. l0, this is a similar view to Fig. 9 except that in place of a plug a sleeve 38 is employed to bring the leakage gap 39 to any vdesired position according to the thickness or length of the solid part40 at the end of the said sleeve 38.

Figs. 11 and l2 show what may be regarded as an extension of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, although particularly they refer to Fig. 9 but by modillcation can easily be adapted to Fig. 10. Thus, in Fig. 11 there is shown a plug 4I having a rounded end which enters a sleeve 42 and is kept pressed outwardly by a spring 49, both the plug 4I and sleeve 42 having contact measuring parts 44. The members 4I and 42 are carried by a main plug body 45 having fluid pressure supply 46.

In the particular case shown in the drawings, the plug 4I has a bore 41 communicating with a peripheral gap 48 of desired angular and longitudinal extent. This is variably covered by the inner end of the sleeve 42 and by the said variable covering gives a variable outlet. Thus the position of the parts, in so far as the distance between the contacting points 44 is concerned, determines the actual area of the portion of the gap through which the pressure uid escapes. In addition this, through the measuring devices (whatever they may be), gives the necessary reading.

Where necessary adequate means may be included in the structure of nozzles and gauges according to the invention for the exhaust or escape of the fluid (such as air) which has passed through the variable measuring gap or gaps.

For instance, in the forms shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, '1, 8, 9 and 10, no additional exhaust means normally is necessary although as will vbe seen in Figs. 5 and 6 the plug 21 has cylindrical and longitudinal cut away portions for the free exhaust of the fluid which has passed through the measuring gaps. Similarly, a free passage to the exterior is provided in the plug 45 in the form shown in Figs. 1l and 12 for the said fluid.

-Again, whatever constructional form the invention may take, it is obvious the actual shape of the portion of the screen or screens which makes contact with the part being operated upon can be varied to suit fthe particular conformation of the part.

The invention is not limited to the precise forms or details of construction described, as these may be varied to suit particular requiremen-ts.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is:

l. In a gauge oi.' the character described, the

l combination ot a suppOrt member provided with a rectilinear conduit for pressure fluid, a work contacting member having a cavity and being rectilinearly movable relatively to the support member, and a spring interposed between said members for normally biasing the contact member in predetermined direction relatively to the support member, the cavity of the work contacting mem- L ber being in all positions of the member in communication with the conduit, and one of said members having a slit in communication with the cavity and extending in the direction of the relative movement of the work contacting member, said slit being partlyobstructed at one end by the companion member, whereby upon placing the contacting member to operative position against the work, the iiow of the pressure fluid through said conduit, cavity and unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the spring controlled relation of said members.

2. In a gauge of the character described, the combination of a support member provided with a rectilinear conduit for pressure fluid, a work contacting member having a cavity and being rectilinearly movable relatively to the support member, and a spring interposed between said members for normally biasing the contact member in predetermined direction relatively to the cavity in said contacting member, the cavity of the work contacting member being in all positions of the member in communication with the conduit of the other member, and the work contacting member having a slit in communication with the cavity, said slit being partly obstructed at one end by the companion member, whereby upon placing the contacting member to operative position against the work, the iiow of pressure fluid through said conduit, cavity and unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the spring con. trolled relation of saidmembers.

3. In a gauge of the character described, the combination of a support member provided with a rectilinear conduit for pressure fluid, a work contacting member having a cavity and being rectilinearly movable relatively to the support member, and a spring interposed between said members for normally biasing the work contact ing member to a position in which the end of said contacting member projects beyond the end of the companion member, the cavity of the work contacting member being in all positions of said member in communication with the conduit, and one of the members having a slit in communication with the cavity and extending in the direction of the relative movement of the work contacting member, said slit being partly obstructed at that end at which the work contacting member projects beyond the companion member, whereby upon placing the contacting member to operative position against the work, the Iiow of the pressure fluid through said conduit, cavity and unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the spring control relation of said members.

4. In a. gauge of the character described, the combination of a support member provided with a rectilinear conduit for the pressure iiuid. a nozzle extension on said support member and through which extension the rectilinear conduit is positioned, a work contacting member having a cavity and being rectilinearly movable relatively to the nozzle, and a spring interposed between said members for normally biasing the contact member in predetermined direction relatively to the nozzle, the cavity of the work contacting member being in all positions of the member in communication with the conduit portion extending through the nozzle, and one of said members having a, slit in communication with the cavity and extending in the direction of the relative movement of the work contacting member, said slit being partly obstructed by the end of the nozzle, whereby upon placing the contacting member to operative position against the work, the flow of the pressure fluid through said supporting member, nozzle and unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the spring controlled relation of said members.

5. In a gauge of the character described, the combination of a base on which the work to be gauged is to be positioned, a supporting member mounted in opposition to said base and spaced therefrom, the supporting member being provided with a conduit for pressure fluid, a. work contacting member rectilinearly' guided by a portion of the base, said work contacting member having a` `cavity in communication with the conduit, and a spring interposed between said members for normally biasing the conduit member on the supporting member in direction towards vthe base, one of the members having a slit in communication with the cavity and extending in the .direction of the relative movement of the work contacting member, the slit being partly obstructed at one end by the companion member, whereby upon placing the contacting member to operative position against the work on the base, the iiow of pressure duid from the unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the Work controlled relation of said members.

6. In a gauge of the character described, the combination of a base on which the work .to be gauged is'adapted to be positioned, a support member provided with a rectilinear conduit for pressure fluid extending through said supporting member at right angle to the work carrying surfaces of the base, a work contacting member having a cavity and being guided on the companion member for movement in a, direction parallel to the conduit, and a spring interposed between the members for normally biasing the contact member to work engaging position relatively Ito the support member, the cavity of the work contacting member being in all positions in communication with the conduit of the supporting member, and said work contacting member having a, slit in communication with the cavity and extending in the direction of the spring controlled movement of the work contacting member relatively to the supporting member, said slit being partly obstructed `at one end by the supportingI member, whereby upon placing the contacting member against the tension of the spring to operative position against the work, the flow of the pressure fluid through said conduit cavity and unobstructed end portion of the slit varies with the relation of said members as determined by the work to be gauged.

LOUIS EUGENE WATTEBOT. 

